Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: Live Score, Analysis for Game 3

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points, LeBron James and Kevin Love scored 20 apiece and the Cleveland Cavaliers topped the Detroit Pistons, 101-91, at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

This was a very competitive game.

Hosting their first playoff contest in seven years, the Pistons came out with terrific energy, jumping out to a 27-24 lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, Detroit ran into some defensive issues in the second period, as the Cavaliers punctured the Pistons for 30 points to take a one-point edge into halftime.

The two teams went back and forth in the second half, with Cleveland taking a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter only to see Detroit respond with a 9-0 run.

Still, big shots from the veteran Cavs and some costly mistakes by the young Pistons ended up being the difference in the game.

Irving stuck the dagger in Detroit with under a minute to go, hitting a shot-clock beating three-pointer to put the Cavaliers up by eight.

Irving shot 11-of-20 overall.

James struggled with his shot, going just 8-of-24, but he added 13 rebounds and seven assists to go along with his point total.

Love grabbed 12 rebounds.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope paced the Pistons with 18 points.

Game 4 is Sunday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills at 8:30 p.m. ET.